When a pipe bursts, close the stop tap first. This cuts the water supply to the whole house and stops the flow. Then open the taps to drain the system and keep clear of any wet electrics.
These steps limit the damage while you wait for help. They come from advice published by the Met Office and WaterSafe.
Step 1: Close the stop tap
The stop tap controls the water coming into your home, so find it first. It is usually under the kitchen sink. It can also be in a downstairs bathroom, a kitchen cupboard, a garage, a cellar or under the stairs.
Turn it clockwise until it stops. Because a stop tap that has not been used for years can be stiff, turn it firmly but steadily. If it will not move, tell your plumber as soon as you call.
It is worth finding your stop tap before you ever need it. Check it works a couple of times a year, because stop taps can seize up if they are rarely used.
Step 2: Drain the system
Next, open all your taps to drain the pipes as quickly as you can. This takes the pressure out of the system, because less water is then pushed out of the break. Close the taps again once the water stops running.
Fill a bucket or two with clean water first if you can. You will then have water for flushing the toilet and washing your hands while the supply is off.
Step 3: Keep clear of electrics
Water and electricity do not mix, so take care. If water has leaked near your sockets, lights or fuse box, do not touch them. If it is safe to reach the fuse box, switch the power off at the mains.
If you cannot reach the fuse box without stepping through water, stay out of the room. As a result, keep everyone away from the wet area until a professional has made it safe.
Step 4: Limit the damage
While you wait, soak up escaping water with towels and buckets. Move furniture, rugs and valuables out of the way. If the ceiling is bulging with water, place a bucket underneath and take care around it.
Take photos or video of the damage as it is. Your home insurer may ask for them later. Contact your insurer early, because they can tell you what your policy covers and what they need from you.
Step 5: Call a plumber
Once the water is under control, contact a plumber, since a proper repair needs one. WaterSafe recommends using a plumber who is qualified to work on the drinking water in your home. Our emergency plumber service includes burst pipe repairs.
When you get in touch, tell us where the pipe is, what you have already done and whether the stop tap works. Clear details help us understand the job before we arrive, while saving time on the day. If you live in Christchurch, Poole or Bournemouth, there is a page for each.
What if the burst is outside or underground?
However, not every burst is inside the house. A leak on the supply pipe between your boundary and your home is usually your responsibility. The Consumer Council for Water explains that the supply pipe runs from your house to the boundary of your property. Your water company looks after the main and the link to your supply pipe.
Signs of an outdoor leak include a damp patch on a dry day or greener grass in one spot. A sudden drop in pressure is another clue. A leak detection visit can find the source. Read more in our guide to hidden water leak signs.
What not to do
A few common mistakes make a burst pipe worse, yet they are easy to avoid.
- Do not ignore a small leak, because it can turn into a large one
- Do not use electrical items in a wet room
- Do not use a naked flame or blowtorch to thaw a frozen pipe, as the Met Office warns this can cause lasting damage
- Do not flush or run water down the drains if the leak is near a blocked drain
Although most bursts involve clean water, a sewage problem needs different handling. Our guide on emergency drain problems covers that case. For help deciding how urgent a fault is, see what counts as a plumbing emergency.
Be ready before it happens
Because a burst can strike at any time, a little preparation helps. Make sure everyone in the house knows where the stop tap is. The Met Office suggests checking that it works every six months.
Cold weather is a common trigger. The Met Office also advises insulating pipes in the roof space and other areas exposed to the cold. If a pipe does freeze, thaw it slowly, using hot water bottles or towels soaked in hot water.
After a burst, ask the plumber what caused it and whether it could happen again. That way, you can fix the cause as well as the damage. Keep any notes or photos together for your insurer.
Common questions
Does this guide cover heating? No. It covers water and drainage only.
Can I repair the pipe myself? Temporary fixes exist. However, a proper repair is best left to a plumber. A poor fix can fail again.
How much will a repair cost? It depends on where the pipe is and how damaged it is. Ask for a quote once you have described the job.
Tell us about the burst
Use the enquiry form on our contact page to describe what has happened. Include the location of the leak, whether the water is off and any photos you have. We will use that to prepare a quote for the repair.